This 20 buck piece of trash definitely decreases the form factor of the Macbook Pro Retina. This aesthetic issue is tolerable but what was not was the fact that the hard plastic tabs on the bottem piece are uncomfortably hard and sharp so they did into your wrists when you type. After using this for about 20 minutes I decided to try to remove it. Here is where the fun started. There is no easy way to take off this cover. Even being gentle and working on the tabs, I noticed that it was actually pulling apart the metal panes of my MacBook! This cheap junk almost ruined my $2K computer, Major buyers remorse. Stay away

That case will likely be a good help with day-to-day wear and tear - the little bumps and scrapes and travel wear that any laptop will encounter.

However, drops, particularly when it doesn't fall flat, but hits on one corner (a more typical kind of fall), then that light-weight case will be very little protection. Best is to avoid dropping your laptop - think before you move, etc.

you will treat it like a baby. unless you have a medical condition I wouldn't worry about dropping it. just always be very aware of it, especially when moving fast, carrying a few different things, going up stairs, etc.

I use iPearl for my MBA. It has kept the computer in pristine condition through a lot of traveling and work. But, I never:

(1) set an uncovered drink anywhere near it.
(2) treat it roughly by slamming the cover shut, touching the screen, etc.
(3) move it around unless it is in my bag slung across my shoulder.

These three "rules" seem to be working pretty well for me, and it would actually be kind of difficult to damage the computer unless someone barrels into my table and knocks it over (I never sit by the door or high traffic areas) or I get hit by a vehicle (at which point, my computer is the least of my worries).

I wouldn't pay for any extra care plans, but you know your use conditions the best.

Staff Member

I don't ever use the word durable when it comes to my rMBP. There are other words that do, like great design, soft aluminum metal, fragile. I love my computer but its not the most durable one on the market.

All Unibody MBP are sensitivity to the tinniest of drops. Even a $500 laptop doesn't dent or gets chips that easy.

On my older MBP, someone bumped into my MBP with his watch and it has a small dent from the watch. I dropped my previous $500 PC laptop on the ground from 1 feet high, not a single scratch or dent at all.

So I"m extremely careful with my rMBP because it can get dented incredibly easy.

For the "hardshell", my feedback is that it definitely does not dig into my wrists. Product is Made in China though.
The surface has a bit of rubber touch to it, and it's a snap on. Fits easily onto the rMBP. And like I said, I'm using it as a surface protection only. Now I can move around easily without fear of scratching.

Dropped mine this past winter coming inside. It was in a backpack that was unzipped on accident. I leaned to my right to pick another bag up, backpack fell open, and my mbp flew to the salt covered ground.

If it had not been for a logitech unifying receiver in the right usb port, it wouldnt have survived. That dongle exploded, and the bottom of the mbp has several small dings, and scratches, along with the side casing having some nicks.

I would say it would probably still work. These computers ARE durable. But it's going to look horrible. The metal scratches and dents pretty easily from my experience. You don't want to go around dropping it if you want it to look nice.

Those cases are horrible. The best I found was the Kuzy leather one. It costs more but less likely to scratch your macbook!

I would not recommend using something that protects they keyboard, as the screen can break.

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The iPearl is pretty fantastic. I especially like the feet on the bottom that raise the keyboard to a perfect angle for typing while also helping to dissipate heat on the bottom. I don't use the keyboard protector and wouldn't recommend it. I don't really see the point of having it myself.

As for dropping it, if the OP follows my advice above, it is pretty unlikely to be an issue. No matter what case you have on it, a drop from any height is not going to be good for the computer. Think of it as a baby and don't toss it around, drop it, or place hot beverages next to it (coffee). The iPearl mainly protects from incidental scratches (bumps, rough surfaces, etc. on tabletops). If you are headed to a war zone, opt for the toughbook and leave your Mac behind.

The iPearl is pretty fantastic. I especially like the feet on the bottom that raise the keyboard to a perfect angle for typing while also helping to dissipate heat on the bottom. I don't use the keyboard protector and wouldn't recommend it. I don't really see the point of having it myself.

As for dropping it, if the OP follows my advice above, it is pretty unlikely to be an issue. No matter what case you have on it, a drop from any height is not going to be good for the computer. Think of it as a baby and don't toss it around, drop it, or place hot beverages next to it (coffee). The iPearl mainly protects from incidental scratches (bumps, rough surfaces, etc. on tabletops). If you are headed to a war zone, opt for the toughbook and leave your Mac behind.

yes, and i have to tell you having owned both the cmbp and rmbp, the cmbp is far superior in durability except for mabye the hard drive which you could swap out for a solidstate. the rmbp is a lot of hype and hot air do not buy in to it. there is a reason you still see everyone using old cmbp. and even if you get apple care they do not cover accidental damage so you are pretty much screwed unless you are willing to pay 600$ for a replacement.

At best a case will protect from small nicks and scratches. At worse it will actually scratch it by having dirt stuck between it and your dear computer.

Get a good backpack. Something nicely padded all around the computer. Also, make sure the computer doesn't lie at the very bottom of. I also wouldn't bother with a sleeve if you have a good backpack, you actually risk dropping the computer if you're taking it out in a hurry and sometimes the zippers around it can tarnish the metal over time. Also, most people put their computers on top of the sleeve which heats it up and it makes a nice slippy surface for the computer to slide on and drop to the ground.

Don't overthink it. Be careful and develop good habits, being careful when it's in your bag and taking a second to make sure you're not putting it at risk when taking it out. But the fact is, it's just a tool, a 2500$ tool but still a tool if it's gonna fail, it's gonna fail...

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